Reinette LeJeune
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed an executive order two weeks ago implementing protections for anyone seeking or providing abortion services or other reproductive health care within the Silver State. While other states have adopted laws that may impose civil or criminal liability on reproductive health care patients and providers – in Nevada, Roe’s protections are firmly embedded in state law, protecting the right to abortion until 24 weeks and after 24 weeks if the pregnant person’s health is at risk and that law cannot be repealed without a direct vote by the people. “Reproductive health care is a basic human right,” Sisolak said on Twitter, shortly after announcing the executive order. “We are committed to ensuring safe access to abortions for women seeking refuge from the restrictive laws in their state.”
Under the executive order, provisions stipulate three key points: the first being that no state agency may provide information, time, money, or other resources to help another state seeking to impose civil or criminal penalties on someone for receiving, assisting, or providing reproductive health care services – including abortions. The second states that health care and other licensed professionals in Nevada must be protected by state boards and should not be disqualified or disciplined based on repercussions threatened under abortion laws in another state. Lastly,the third ensures that the governor’s office will decline any request received from another state to issue a warrant for the arrest or surrender of anyone charged with a criminal violation of an abortion ban. The order defines reproductive health care as services that include all medical, surgical, counseling or referral services relating to the human reproductive system – as well as services relating to pregnancy, contraception and the termination of pregnancy.
Currently, 13 states possess “trigger bans,” which were designed to take effect if Roe was struck down, and prohibits abortion within 30 days of the ruling. Eight of those states banned the procedure the day the ruling was released. Others with anti-abortion laws blocked by the courts are still pending, with lawmakers pushing to activate dormant anti-abortion legislation. Amid the chaos and uncertainty, many providers in states enacting bans have halted all abortion services.
